Man recovering after clothing caught fire

An 82-year-old man is in stable condition at Spectrum Health Butterworth after his clothing caught fire Thursday afternoon.

Ionia Department of Public Safety Director Troy Thomas said his department responded to a call at 5:35 p.m. for a man on fire in the 2800 block of West Bluewater Highway. When they arrived, they found that a detective from the Ionia County Sheriff’s Office had heard the call on his way home and stopped to assist Michael Miller of Easton Township before they arrived.

“Although he was off-duty, Detective Phillip Hesche went to the aid of a citizen in critical need of help,” said Thomas. “He did an outstanding job, and it showed his commitment to the community and his profession."

Hesche said he was a short distance away when he heard the call and stopped to help.

“I found the man with his Carhartts burning up,” Hesche said. “His wife helped and we slapped out the fire. I threw a bucket of water on him to make sure the fire was out.”

IDPS First Responders and Life EMS gave Miller medical attention and stabilized him, Thomas said. Firefighters set up a landing zone at Bluewater and Sayles Road where Aeromed could land to transport Miller to the hospital.

Hesche downplayed any suggestion of heroism in his role in the incident.

“It’s what we do,” he said. “I’m just part of a team, and happened to be there.”

“Public Safety and First Responders did an outstanding job,” said Hesche. “I hope for a good outcome and hope for the best for (Miller) and his family.”